IDEAS

Idea 9: Admitting Your Own Personal Bias

Why is it important?

Many students may feel unable to provide personal experiences with subject matter on diversity and multiculturalism due to a fear of coming off as racist or sexist. While speaking in a way that hurts other students should not be permitted, there is a great deal of valuable information on ones own biases to be discovered and talked about if they are brought up in a safe space. Admitting to ones own biases and mistakes is difficult, but it can help students realize that everyone has faults and that recognizing prejudices is the first step in eliminating them.

Instructions

• Reinforce to students that the classroom is a safe space
• Introduce a personal bias and a personal experience to go along with it
• Let students know that if they feel like introducing their biases that they may but they are not pressured to

Advantages

• Students will be more understanding of personal biases and how they can occur for anyone
• Encourages honest communication among students

Adapted from:
Timpson, W.M, Yang, R., Borrayo, E., & Canetto S.S. (2005). 147 Practical Tips for Teaching Diversity.